Elephant Ride, Amer Fort, Jaipur, India
The steep journey up to the top of Amer Fort is by Elephant ($20) probably the most expensive thing you will do in Inia, but fun. Fun - I say in hindsight – I was terrified at the time but couldn’t resist the photo opportuniy of shots I could get along the way.
Amer Fort, Jaipur India
The Amer Fort was constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592. The architecture of the place carries the essence of Mughul and Indian style of building. Perched high above the city of Jaipur it offers beautiful views. For $20 you can ride an elephant up – a popular option for tourists.
Inside Amer Fort, Jaipur, India
Hawa Mahal, (Pink City) Jaipur, India
Hawa Mahal is a magnificent orangey pink facade in the middle of a busy street dating back to 1799 . Pretty lattice work and honeycomb patterns reminders of the Islamic architecture mixed with Hindu crown stylizings used in this time period and thoughout the Jaipur region. I’m happen to be visiting on ‘student election day’ which makes for fun shots of students celebrating in the streets. The streets are filled with ballots, music, dancing and cheers.
Jantar Mantar Observatory, Jaipur, India
The Jantar Mantar is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built by Maharaja (King) Jai Singh II at his then new capital of Jaipur between 1727 and 1734. It is modeled after the one that he had built for him at the Mughal capital of Delhi. The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best preserved of these. It has been inscribed on the World Heritage List as “an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period”.
Driving to Jaipur from Delhi takes 4 hours (traffic time)
Driving to Jaipur - From Cows to Camels...Anything goes in India
More driving to Jaipur
Gurgaon, India - One of India's Tech Centers
Gurgaon, India is a quick 20 minute drive from Delhi Airport and admist the busy India streets stands a cluster of modern buildings bearing a variety of brightly lit tech company signage.
Oberoi Hotel, Gurgaon India
Staying at the newly completed Oberoi, Gurgaon proves to be an interesting experience. Enthusiastic staff watches your every move to ensure that your every desire is attained. Overwhelming. But seriously, in this age of indifferent service, how can I complain that they are too attentive? Somewhere in my visit I accepted that I would be asked 10 times of the quality of breakfast and that I would never exit the hotel without a rush of Front Desk staff asking me questions regarding the hotel. The rooms were a great size, my photos do not do them justice; the food was great: breakfast, room service and Amaranta all great. Even when I chose not to order salad or dessert, one came anyway complimentry. During this stay I noticed that India, has snuck up on the rest of the world in the area of quality customer service. They are a force to be reckoned with and rival Swiss Hotel School training.
The local mall is called Ambiance – 5 minute drive from the Oberoi Hotel. A several story mall (My photos make it look better than it is) featuring many tiny versions of western stores such as Mango, Aldo, Diesel, Mark & Spencer, Debenhams’s, Guess with Indian style content pushed to the window and a food court with several dine-in options and fast food such as Pizza Hut and KFC. There are security guards, metal detector and pat-downs to enter the mall as everywhere in India.
Alifu Alifu Atoll, Halaveli Resort, Maldives
I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be on this day than the Maldives. Worth the 3 hour wait for a connection in Bangalore for a quick 1.5 hr flight to Male; the 2 hr wait for the Madivian Air Taxi Sea Plane (for a 30 min journey); the pass off on a shakey dock in mid sea for the hotel ferry to reach this tiny atoll.
Maldivian Pilots fly barefoot
The Halaveli Resort www.halaveli.com is a small resort consisting of overwater huts and beach villas. The staff is charming and helpful with a laid back vibe. I’m staying in a beach front villa, it is incredible! Fabulous room with breakfast eating terrace, outdoor shower & bathtub, private swimming pool, and the Indian Ocean in my backyard. Tribal luxury – if that even makes sense. Oh, and the answer to the burning question – YES, there is free wireless internet!
Halaveli Resort, Maldives
They offer “packages” like all-inclusives for food which works out well if you have kids, which lead to another question “if you can afford to bring your kids to the Maldives than possibly you wouldn’t need an all-inclusive. Food is surprising good – for an Island that doesn’t farm and everything must be flown in. The chef here makes an effort. The water issue on a tiny atoll is another issue. They offer complimentary unlimited filtered bottled ’Havalei water’ in the room that somehow leaves you thirsty for ‘ real water’.
More Maldives
It’s been 4 years since I was last in India and wow can I feel the difference the emerging nation bustling economy is having on its society. Construction is everywhere. Having driven from Shimla to Delhi, and viewing the endless highway construction; viewing the beautiful new Bangelore Airport – perfect compliment a city that is considered India”s Silicon Valley; the building of the raised highway that will express people to the airport in 20 minutes instead of a traffic filled one hour. Bengaluru is Bangalore in their local dialect. Pretty.
The Taj West End, Bangalore
With an early morning connection to the Maldives, I stay at The Taj West End www.tajhotels.com for one night. Its a bit over claimed distance from the city and located on an unassuming busy 6 laned street, but once inside the gates you transported into lush gardens, colonial architecture and Taj service. What stands out the most is the staffs unending enthusiasm to share there local foods, from naans to dosa to soups, there is no end to their warm hospitality – which lends me to make a huge generalization that all South Indian’s are very open, generous and kind. 10 hrs later – back at the airport enroute to my beloved Maldives.
The Himalayas
The destination is Wildflower Hall www.oberoihotels.com located at an altitude of over 8000 ft. After landing in Delhi you take a short connecting flight to Shimla and then a 90 minute journey further into the mountains. There is one problem with the plan – its Monsoon season and a flight hasn’t landed in in Shimla in 26 days, and today, consistent the past few weeks my flight is cancelled. Rerouted to a flight to Chandigarh, with a 5 hour drive weaving through the mountains, consisting of cliffside hairpin turns with on-coming traffic to reach the hotel. Nauseating.
The Himalayas
The most surprising thing about the drive is the countless vibrant & lively villages perched on the side of the mountain. One after another as you go up, up, up through clouds which feel like you may be reaching the top – but then, nope, theres another village with tons of people running about. I had imagined the Himalayas to be remote, but the drive throught the foothills proves to be anything but.
Wildflower Hall, Oberio Hotel, Shimla
With outstanding views and nice rooms the Wildflower Hall whets the appetite to venture further into the Himalayas. With only on day, I take a leisurely walk defeated by the obvious fact that I would need weeks in this region – with areas like Shrinagar and more left unseen. The hotel itself is a bit sleepy on the traditional Oberio service as its Monsoon season and there are approximately 3 other guests. Still, next time I would choose a differnt hotel, different season and experience perhaps the more spiritual aspect of The Himalayas – the mountains are so glorious and I will go back one day. Again the hotel says the flights will be cancelled, and now in order to make my connection I must drive directly to Delhi -a 9 hr drive with a 4am start. Can’t wait.
